Stirton Productions Electronic Press Kit

April 2006

All material copyright © Stirton Productions 2006 Page 1 April 26th 2006

MEDIA INFORMATION FOR “The Planet”

Stirton Productions (background)

Stirton Productions, founded in 2003, is a privately owned digital fi lm company based in Aberdeen, Scotland. The company produces original screenplays and features, as well as documentaries, corporate videos and “on-demand” digital effects.

Stirton Productions ceo, Mark Stirton, has over 12 years experience in drama and television production; producing his fi rst short horror fi lm, Spooked, at the age of 25. Mark studied broadcast media at Aberdeen College and worked as a cameraman / vision mixer for a local television station before setting up his own company.

With “The Planet,” he hopes to show that a low budget fi lm, with good story and characters, can still be entertaining to an audience used to Hollywood ‘blockbusters.’

Synopsis

A group of mercenaries are forced to evacuate their dying spacecraft and fi nd themselves stranded on a desolate, barren world. They discover that no signals can get through the atmosphere of the planet, the only option they have is to fi nd a way to launch one of their escape craft into space and try and send an SOS.

Unfortunately, others have plans for the survivors and the group have to fi ght not only for their own survival, but for the safety of the entire universe. There is however one more problem on ‘the planet,’ the souls of the dead have their own agenda.

Production Details

Genre: SF / HorrorYear of Production: 2006Budget: £8.000 GBPLocation: Aberdeenshire, Scotland (exteriors and interiors)Original media: MiniDV digitalCamera: Canon XL-1Presentation media: DVD region 2 PALSubtitles: English Running time: 75 minutesSound: Dolby stereo

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Main Cast

Mike Mitchell (Lead Role as Captain Morgan)

Overall WFF Mr Universe and World Champion 2003,2004,2005/6 successfully defended World Title November 2003. Successfully defended the WFF Mr Universe and world Title 2005, and a competitive body builder for 15 years. Mike has appeared in several fi lm productions, “The Planet,” is his fi rst lead role.

As Captain Morgan, Mike quickly gained respect from the rest of the cast and crew with his intelligence, charm and huge gun.

Patrick Wight (MacNeal)

An entertainer and radio presenter in the North of Scotland for over 15 years, Patrick has appeared in several short fi lms and documentaries. Although he is primarily known for stand-up comedy he is also a keen local historian and writer.

Patrick Plays MacNeal, the captain’s right hand man, a tough uncompromising character.

Scott Ironside (Vince)

A professional and very experienced actor, Scott has appeared on stage all over the UK as well as several short fi lms. A trained swordsman and martial artist, he has run several stage fi ghting workshops and worked as a fi ght arranger in television and fi lm.

Scott’s portrayal of Chief Engineer Vince is perfect, an unassuming, straight talking, mechanical genius.

Shawn Paul Hastings (Layton)

Shawn’s work includes the feature fi lm “Rosslyn” (2004), regular appearances on BBC’s “Monarch of the Glen” and a growing number of high profi le commercials.

Perhaps one of the more diffi cult characters to play, Shawn brought real empathy to Layton, a man who goes through some radical changes in the story.

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Steve Tomas (Marsh)

A busy actor, Steve has appeared in many productions, recent work includes parts in the feature fi lms “The Last Rainbow” (2005) and “Worldliner” (2006).

Steve gives the role of Marsh an ‘edgy’ quality, a soldier who sometimes works by his own rules.

Tim Branston (Mitch)

Now a respected Architect working in Aberdeen, Tim’s earlier life saw him as the lead in a 70’s ‘Glam Rock’ band and actor in many noted television productions, including Alan Bleasdale’s “The Monocled Mutineer” (1986).

Tim plays the part of Mitch, the disgruntled and weary medic for the mercenary group.

Michael G. Clark (Taylor)

As an actor, Michael has appeared in many of the Stirton Production fi lms, including “Removals” (2004), which he also produced.

For the role of Security Chief Taylor, Michael played a character with more than a few surprises up his sleeve.

Support Cast

Daniel: Mark StirtonDaak: Mark WynessRoberts (the Kid): Ashley BranstonWilliams: Graham W. RobertsonThe Prisoner: Colin MorrisonComputer Voice: Nicky Fraser

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Crew

Mark Stirton (Director / Writer / Cameraman / Editor / Digital and Character Effects)

Mark Stirton, Stirton Productions ceo, has over 12 years experience in drama and television production; producing his fi rst short fi lm, Spooked, at the age of 25. Spooked, was nominated for an award at the 1996 Glasgow fi lm festival. Mark studied broadcast media at Aberdeen College and worked as a cameraman / vision mixer for a local television station before setting up his own company in 2003.

An experienced writer, Mark produces most of the material for Stirton Productions, as well as original screenplays for outside development.

Michael G. Clark (Producer / Art Director / Props / Animation)

A professional graphic designer and photographer, Michael has been involved in many of Mark Stirton’s projects over the years, both as an actor and crew. Michael created the designs, props and 3D textures for “The Planet.”

As well as his commitments as a producer for Stirton Productions, Michael is responsible for all of Stirton Productions advertising output - from web site to fi lm posters.

Kerwin Robertson (Co- Producer / 3D Model Maker / Particle Effects)

Kerwin Robertson is a CAD Manager for an Architecture practice in Aberdeen, he has over 18 years experience in 3D modelling and 2D drafting on CAD systems.

The 3D cad models for the movie were created by Kerwin, who also collaborated in their design process. Many of the computer hardware systems used to produce the fi lm were also made by him.

Nicky Fraser (Composer / Sound Designer)

All the original music in ‘The Planet,’ was composed by Nicky Fraser, an Aberdeen based musician and DJ. Nicky was involved throughout the entire production process and many of her atmospherics and ambient sounds were used to enhance the mood of the movie. A good, powerful soundtrack is crucial for any action fi lm, Nicky’s heavy tympanic beats and oppressive rhythms help get the audience to the edge of their seats - then the visuals push them over.

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Images from “The Planet”

The mercenary craft is attacked and destroyed, forcing the remaining crew to abandon ship.

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Engineer Vince, (Scott Ironside, left) briefs Captain Morgan (Mike Mitchell) on their situation.

The team come across an ancient artifact buried in the sand.

Captain Morgan and his squad battle with an unseen enemy.

Publicity shot of group

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Articles

Article from Scottish Screen’s media magazine, roughcuts, September 2004.

A selection of press features writen during the initial fi lming in 2004. At the time the working title for the movie was “Unleashed,” this was later changed after the release of the Jet Lee fi lm with the same name.

Aberdeen Independent (June 8, 2004)

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Aberdeen Press and Journal (May 28, 2004)

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Contact Details

Website: http://www.stirtonproductions.com/

Director : Mark StirtonE-mail: mark@stirtonproductions.comMobile: +44 (0) 7784031818

Producer: Michael ClarkE-mail: mike@stirtonproductions.comTelephone: +44 (0) 1224 748614Mobile: +44 (0) 7720092934Fax: +44 (0) 1224 746676

Press Kit Details

Please contact Stirton Productions to gain permission before reproducing images or articles within this kit. The full press kit contains images at 300dpi for print reproduction, to obtain web optimised media, either download the required fi les from the Stirton Productions web site, or contact the addresses above.